THE renowned Bagdad Singers is looking for more female singers to balance its strong male singing component.
The group was formed more than 16 years ago when the musical director, Chris Fehlberg, was living in Bagdad. While most of the original members lived in the district, other long-standing participants were drawn from the surrounding areas.
• The Bagdad Singers who are providing plenty of pleasure to all age groups.
MORE than 80 parents and children from the Bridgewater and Gagebrook communities recently enjoyed a variety of fun, healthy and engaging activities as part of The Smith Family’s Good Beginnings school holiday program.
The sessions were jam-packed with a smorgasbord of activities including tasty ’sit-down’ shared lunches, an Antarctic ‘adventure day’, a recycled toy-making session, a community walk complete with a morning tea and jumping castle, several fun-filled rural combined play sessions and even a playground ‘discovery mystery tour’ on the double-decker Fun Bus! …more
THE Children’s Book Council of Australia Tasmanian branch has launched a program to get kids reading - and keep them reading - following special funding from the Tasmanian Community Fund.
Books To Keep Kids Reading began last month at community health centres across the state. …more
BRIGHTON has joined the National Rural Women’s Coalition to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8.
Proving that rural, regional and remote Australian women are just as tech-savvy as their urban sisters, the coalition has invited cities and towns in these areas to share in hosting a special morning tea and interactive ‘webinar’ on the day, with ABC radio and television host Geraldine Doogue. …more
BRIGHTON Council has a policy of offering grant assistance to sporting and community groups.
Applications for assistance in the 2011/12 financial year are invited to be submitted by March31 2011. Policy guidelines, funding criteria and application form can be obtained from Council’s website www.brighton.tas.gov.au or Cathy Harper on 6268 7035. …more
THE State Government’s acceptance of the recommendations of the Access Economics’ review of valuation and local government rating in Tasmania could result in significant rate increases for Brighton residents.
Access Economics has recommended an end to Brighton’s flat rate system and for all councils to be forced to adopt a system based on property values. …more
THE Brighton Council has slammed the Access Economics report into Tasmania’s local government rating system saying it fails to address rates volatility and could lead to significant rate increases.
The report was commissioned by the Local Government Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, to examine Tasmania’s valuation and local government rating system, and recommends a framework for the future. …more
By JOHN HALL
MAURICE Barwick began his farming career at the age of nine. Then, as now, it was a great success.
“Dad gave me nine acres at ‘Merriworth’ in Tea Tree to plant my first crop of peas,” Maurice recalls of the time half a century ago. “They were grey peas for pigeon fanciers. I sold them, with Dad’s help, for an incredible 700 pounds.” That was as much as some farm workers then earned in a year.
Maurice with his wife Peggy in front of their beautiful sandstone fireplace.
By CAROL COLLIDGE*
THIS year’s annual Brighton Show will once again offer patrons a wide and varied range of entertainment and attractions, an expanded equestrian section, and importantly, no increase in gate prices. …more
BOOK Week came to Gagebrook Primary School recently, and students enjoyed a real treat when Tasmanian author and illustrator Steve Isham visited the classroom.
Illustrator Steve Isham helped Gagebrook Primary students create their own illustrations during Book Week